Most people find losing weight difficult, especially when they try it without external help. However, with a good weight loss program, one can easily accomplish their weight loss goals, as the programs guide users through what they should eat and how to exercise optimally.
These programs carry immense life changes, making them an excellent choice for people struggling to lose weight. While every program in the market claims to deliver the best results, not each is effective. After thorough research and analysis of the world’s top-rated weight loss programs, we came up with 2024’s best weight loss programs as follows:
The Best Weight Loss Programs in 2024
After thorough research, analysis, and deliberation by our editorial team, we listed the following as the best weight loss and diet programs for 2024:
- Nutrisystem
- Custom Keto Diet
- Weight Watchers
- Beachbody
- Golo
- Noom
- Hello Fresh
- LA Weight Loss
- Diet Direct
- Beyond Body
- Raw Generation
- Factor 75
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is one of the world’s leading weight loss programs whose prominence has increasingly grown. It is believed to create immense weight loss among users while promoting healthy living.
It is a perfect choice for people looking for a program that gives them exactly what they should eat to promote weight loss and is delivered at the doorstep. It offers a range of pricing and subscription tiers between $9.99 and $13.21 daily.
Nutrisystem comes with 160+ menu choices and a wide selection of easy-to-make dishes making it globally popular. It is perfect for those looking for a stress-free and convenient way to lose weight – the program determines what you should eat to lose weight.
Custom Keto Diet
Custom Keto Diet is an online-based and customized ketogenic weight loss program that works based on your unique physiology. This program appreciates that everyone is different in size, shape, and experience level. Therefore, it follows the same uniqueness to create a schedule that adequately meets your weight loss needs on a keto diet plan. The Custom Keto Diet program comes with a risk-free 60-day moneyback guarantee if you find it unsatisfactory.
The program begins with a brief online quiz, which you should answer honestly to help the experts create a suitable weight loss plan for you. From your answers, the website experts will create an 8-week customized keto diet made of high-fat and low-carb meals to help you accomplish your weight loss goals.
Weight Watchers
Currently known as WW, Weight Watchers is another top-rated weight loss program that has immensely improved over the years to reflect its commitment to promoting health and wellness. Affordability is one aspect that makes WW popular, considering that you can start your weight loss journey with the program for as low as $1 monthly for the first three months, besides its excellent reputation.
WW customizes a program to meet your unique needs like other leading weight loss programs. The process begins with some online questions whose answers form the basis of your weight loss plan – guidance and meal recommendations. The program also offers multiple plans and packages based on your needs, while the PersonalPoints Engine, such as ZeroPoint and Points Budget, guides you in planning for your daily meals.
Besides, the app can also serve as your recipe book, making WW unbeatable – a straightforward and doctor-based weight loss program with great versatility of meal planning options.
Beachbody
Beachbody is famous for its workout videos but has increasingly incorporated other weight loss options in its packages, including guides, tools, and videos for people at different experience levels. It is perfect for people looking for a program that initiates fat burning and weight loss via home workouts. You can find 1500 workouts at Beachbody, including Muscle Burns Fat, Insanity Max: 30, and 21-Day Fix.
It is famous for its great diversity of workouts – strenuous home strength instead of the regular low-impact and light cardio workout training workouts. To enjoy Beachbody’s incredible results, join the program today, select a suitable program and adhere to the plan. Besides, it’s perfect for people looking for the convenience of working out and losing weight at home.
Golo
Golo is a weight loss program that claims to make users look better and love life by enhancing weight loss. It is designed for people who have struggled to lose weight for many years due to stress and insulin resistance, among other hindrances to weight loss. The program works using Release – an organic dietary supplement – designed for people struggling with insulin resistance.
Golo Release uses a blend of plants and minerals to burn fats, support immunity, control hunger and promote weight loss by balancing hormones, among other related benefits. The program allows you to achieve your weight loss goals without paying for costly subscriptions, working out strenuously, or adhering to strict meals.
It is safe for diabetic patients – boasts of more than 100 studies supporting the safety and efficacy of its active ingredients. Research shows that Golo achieved 79.9% higher weight loss than its competitors, 12.5% lower blood pressure, 17.6% lower cholesterol, and 206% fat loss around the waist, among other benefits, compared to a specified placebo supplement.
Upon purchasing the Golo supplement, you have unlimited access to a complete collection of weight resources such as the myGolo online platform, Golo Metabolic Solution, and Overcoming Diet Obstacles guide, among other incredible bonuses.
Noom
Based on real psychology, Noom is one of the unique weight loss programs in the market that has grown over the years to become one of the leading options in the world today. Unlike other weight loss programs that focus on the physical attributes such as minimizing your calorie intake, Noom pays more attention to maintaining your brain’s long-term relationship with food, which unlocks authenticity and eventually sustainable weight loss results.
Upon joining the platform, you answer a few questions regarding your demographics, workout experience, and weight loss goals, after which experts customize a profile for you – based on the answers. By adhering to the personalized program, you can identify your thought habits and build new valuable habits and solutions regarding your weight loss goals and a new relationship with food.
Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh is a prominent American meal kit and delivery program designed to create better and stress-free mealtimes among clients while promoting weight loss. It was made for people struggling with weight loss but find meal planning at home impossible, thus having to buy because it is challenging to find healthy food that promotes weight loss. The company delivers a box of pre-portioned and chef-designed ingredients to your doorstep fresh from the farm every week, accompanied by easy-to-follow recipes including craft burgers, desserts, and kid-approved meals.
With 25 fresh recipes every week, the company maximizes flexibility in its meal plans while customizing them to meet your unique needs. Someone striving to build muscles, for instance, requires a different meal plan from the one on a weight loss journey. It is an excellent option for people looking for fresh ingredients and dishes with a great variety to help them lose weight.
LA Weight Loss
This weight loss program is designed for people striving to lose weight and rejuvenate their bodies while guaranteeing science-backed evidence for its efficacy. The program partners with LA Life QuickStart, LA Life Max, and LA Life Essential, among other reputable brands.
Using the LA Life Program initiates the body to continuously burn calories during the day while boosting energy levels and controlling appetite. The program’s goal is to work with your body, not against it. Today, the program comes with a mobile app for convenience and multiple supplements under its LA SlimMetrics brand, among other related benefits making it popular among thousands of users looking for healthier living and weight loss options.
Diet Direct
This company offers a range of high-protein snacks and complete meals customized to meet unique weight loss needs and preferences, which they deliver at your doorstep daily. It is one of the most affordable weight loss programs on our rank list, beginning at $1.64 per meal compared to Hello Fresh, $7.99 per meal among other competitors.
Your Diet Direct subscription includes unique bonuses such as menu plans, meal replacement shakes, and success guides, among other perks unavailable with similar programs. It is a perfect choice for people looking for convenient weight loss – the company representatives do all the complex jobs for you, from meal planning to preparation.
Beyond Body
This weight loss program describes itself as a revolutionary way of promoting wellness and healthy body weight using a personalized wellness book. To become part of the program, you should complete a few questions on its official website – ensure you are honest as the answers are used to create your personalized book. The book contains meal plans, shopping lists, recipes, and customized weight loss guides to enhance your journey.
The program is built based on everyone’s uniqueness; therefore, it is impossible to lose weight based on another person’s plan. The most effective weight loss program is one built to meet your unique physiology while delivering instant advice on any of your inquiries. Your digital copy of the customized book enhances your access to instant information regarding your weight loss journey and goals.
Raw Generation
Raw Generation is a lineup of juices designed to jumpstart your weight loss journey. It is perfect for people who love preparing their meals at home to accompany their existing good diet habits. By building a box of Raw Generation juices, you enjoy the convenience of specific juices you crave without running out to shop for them.
One box contains 12 juices, which can last for up to two days during a full juice cleanse. These juices are designed for various purposes, such as cleansing and weight loss, even though they are 100% raw, plant-based, and organic. They are perfect for people looking for a soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free weight loss program in the form of juices.
Factor 75
This weight loss program comprises 27 dietitian-designed weekly options with new menus every week. The company has numerous gourmet chefs who prepare and cook the meals before delivering them to your doorstep for heating and consumption. The company is famous for its convenience – it carries out all the arduous tasks of planning, cooking, and preparing the meals – allowing you to lose weight stress-free by munching on the fresh, healthy, delicious, and ready-made meals.
Factor 75 also allows you to customize your meals based on your unique needs and requirements, ranging from low-calorie to keto, low-carb, and plant-based options.
Besides, the program also offers a range of other unique and diverse meal options, including spicy turkey poblano, brisket ropa vieja, and stuffed pork tenderloin. The program is uniquely known for bringing the great restaurant feeling to the comfort of your home without compromising the healthy meal options.
How We Ranked the Best Weight Loss Programs
Weight loss programs come in a range of options today to meet the users’ varying needs. Sadly, not each of these programs lives up to their efficacy promises. To separate the genuinely effective programs from the unsatisfactory brands, we based our research on the following factors:
Menu Options
The best and most effective weight loss programs have hundreds of menu choices to meet your dietary needs and requirements without creating boredom. Losing weight doesn’t mean consuming the same meals every day. Versatility is crucial for everyone, whether on a weight loss journey or not. Our rank list comprises programs that incorporate as many menu options as possible to make the trip exciting.
Menu Diversity and Customization Options
A good weight loss program should incorporate a wide range of diet choices, requirements, and preferences considering that everyone is unique with different needs. Some programs offer vegan weight loss programs to help vegans lose weight, such as Kosher, while others are designed for people who prefer the keto diet, high-protein, low fat, and low-carb, among others. Always go for a program that is easy to customize to meet varying user needs effortlessly.
Pricing and Value
Weight loss programs, like other products and services in the market, come at different prices ranging from $5 to $50 daily. Depending on your needs and budget, you should find a program that works for you, from the premium restaurant quality and cooked meals delivered to your doorstep every day to the affordable meals at discounted rates.
Regardless of what you choose, ensure that you don’t lose value in the process – a good program should offer optimum value for every coin you spend on them. Besides, premium prices should come with premium ingredients and results. Discounted prices, on the other hand, don’t mean compromised quality.
Follow Ability and Ease of Use
Everyone loves convenience today, which explains why things that are hard to use or follow can be a significant turn-off. Therefore, a good weight loss program should be easy to follow for people of all levels, including limited knowledge and experience. It is easier to follow a straightforward plan to completion than a complex one.
Dish Preparation
Different weight loss programs offer a range of meal preparation techniques, from the simple ones of heating in the microwave – mostly the pre-cooked ones – to the complex ones, which require a little cooking. Whatever you choose, convenience is a crucial consideration. The best program has simple cooking techniques that require 20 minutes at most.
Real Weight Loss Results
Some of the best-rated and leading weight loss programs have been in existence for decades – an indication of quality products and services over the years. We preferred such programs, reading the many excellent online reviews from past and current users over the startups.
It is easier to trust a program that has been in place for several years – with a history of a track record to prove its legitimacy than the numerous ones that recently hit the market with no proof of their efficacy. Therefore, science-backed programs with excellent weight loss testimonials are crucial when choosing.
Honest Advertised Weight Loss Claims
A good weight loss program should allow loss of between 1lbs and 2lbs weekly – a typical weight that an average adult should lose when paired with a healthy exercise routine. However, some programs claim to achieve up to 30lbs weight loss in a month. Programs with such claims are dishonest in their marketing, and you should stay wary of them.
Long-Term Success
Weight loss programs that offer pre-cooked meals may seem convenient but create one major drawback – they hinder long-term weight loss benefits as someone else prepares your meals. Therefore, it is excellent to consider programs that guarantee long-term weight loss results by teaching you how to prepare healthy meals and offering additional resources. There is no point in investing in a weight loss program with the future possibilities of regaining weight if you relocate or the company relocates or dies.
Refund, Free Trial, or Money-back Guarantee
Most top-rated weight loss programs are confident in their products and thus offer varying money-back guarantees – 30-or-60-day guarantees — for customers who find the products unsatisfactory after the specified period. Besides the moneyback guarantees, these top-rated companies offer refunds under certain circumstances and trial periods of up to 7 days cost-free.
Taste
Losing weight doesn’t equate to munching on bland and ugly-tasting food. So, when choosing the program, consider one with delicious tasting food with an outstanding balance of quality and flavor – which unfortunately is challenging for most programs.
Ingredient Quality
Some cheap weight loss programs are nothing better than most frozen microwavable meals you take at home. To get the value for money, ensure that you consider genuine ones with chef-designed gourmet meals for effective weight loss results. The key to losing weight lies in fresh and high-quality ingredients in fresh fruits, vegetables, and intelligently designed dishes.
Appetite Control
An effective weight loss program should lower your calorie consumption without starving your body. There are several techniques for achieving the goal, ranging from eating six meals daily to minimizing hunger, focusing on high-protein and fiber-rich foods, and reducing appetite. The best options are those that manage your appetite effectively and intelligently.
Personalization Options
There are various techniques for losing weight, and each one of them is unique. A good weight loss program should personalize your plan to meet your individual needs and requirements instead of treating you like everyone else. Customization is critical and should be based on your age, weight loss goals, gender, and physiology.
Backed by Doctors or Dietitians
Doctors and registered dietitians create some of the best weight loss programs. Companies with these professionals boast of programs and meals that enhance your weight loss journey. This, in turn, increases their rank and reputation among their customers.
How Do Weight Loss Programs Work?
A good weight loss program should provide you with the necessary tools to lose weight. These tools are unique and vary from one program to another, including:
- Recommended meals, recipe books, shopping lists, and ingredient lists
- Done-for-you meals, including meals that are ready to eat or take a few minutes to prepare at home
- Guides, videos, eBooks, and other tools explaining the best weight-loss strategies
- Mobile apps and other tools to guide you on your weight loss journey
- One-on-one coaching with doctors, dietitians, and weight loss experts
- Additional resources, apps, or guides to make weight loss easy
The primary goal of a weight loss program is to promote effective weight loss. Some people strive for convenience where everything is done; others want advice and guidance on planning and preparing healthy meals to accomplish their weight loss goals. Besides, some of these programs are free, while others are accessible by subscription.
Weight Loss Program Side Effects
Weight loss programs have no side effects on a healthy adult who adheres to the guidance. However, the process of losing weight carries some pros, cons, and side effects that you should know as follows:
- Tiredness
- Coldness
- Dizziness
- Bad breath
- Headaches
- Constipation
These symptoms may or may not occur and result from fat released by your body. People on the keto diet, for instance, are most likely to experience the “keto breath” due to the high ketone levels. The latter occurs because their bodies burn fat for energy instead of carbs, as is the norm – something you should experience when losing weight.
Top 10 Best Weight Loss Tips
After thorough research on weight loss, the National Health Service and other reputable health experts recommend the following science-backed tips to guide you through the journey.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Skipping breakfast may seem reasonable to someone struggling to lose weight. However, it deprives your body of some nutrients, which is not healthy. Eventually, you snack excessively throughout the day, hindering your weight loss goals. Breakfast is the critical meal of the day – ensure you have an adequate and healthy portion to last you through the morning or day – and give you the energy to work.
Eat Regular Meals
Eating regularly may also seem unreasonable on a weight loss journey. However, it promotes faster burning of calories while minimizing the possibilities of unhealthy snacking.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
80% of Americans don’t meet the daily recommended fruits and vegetable intake, which is unhealthy. It deprives the body of adequate vitamins, natural sugars, fibers, and minerals, crucial for weight loss. Besides filling your stomach, fruits and vegetables are low in calories, making them a powerful and all-around weight loss superfood.
Get Active
Being physically active plays a crucial role in losing weight. Besides the considerable health perks of being active, it is also a secret ingredient to burning more calories and eventually promoting weight loss. Find what ways of being busy work for you – whether it’s workouts or a brisk 30-minute walk every day – and go for it.
Eat High Fiber Foods
Fiber is one of the most crucial weight-loss components. It works by filling up your stomach and gut, thus minimizing your appetite, hunger, and food consumption rate. Moreover, fiber is also great for detoxification and cleansing as it promotes waste elimination from the digestive tract. It is commonly found in pasta, whole grain bread, brown rice, peas, beans, and lentils.
Use a Smaller Plate
Psychology plays a vital role in weight loss. Eating from a small plate, for instance, tricks your brain into thinking that you are eating way more than you should, making small plates precious for your journey. On the other hand, bigger plates and bowls are more likely to make you overeat.
Enjoy the Occasional Treat
Unlike most people think, banning treats may not work well for your weight loss journey. On the contrary, it makes you crave them more. The secret is enjoying the treats once in a while to satisfy the craving.
Plan Meals in Advance
Upfront meal plans promote effective weight loss – you have all your meals from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks planned. You kill all chances of buying fast food, snacking unhealthily, or skipping meals.
Eat Mindfully
Mindful eating is another psychological secret to losing weight. It helps you manage your hunger levels and portion sizes while preventing stress eating. Ensure you chew your food thoroughly, taste and acknowledge food as you eat, and put your utensils down between the bites. Eating fast disrupts your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues.
Practice Strength Training
Muscles burn more calories than fats, making muscle building an effective way to lose weight. Incorporate strength training into your workout routine, and you will enjoy the perks of having a fat-burning furnace in your body 24/7.
Scientific Evidence for Weight Loss Programs
Most of the leading and popular weight loss programs globally are backed with scientific proof for their efficacy. WW, for instance, boasts of multiple studies that validate its effectiveness. Here are some reviews of the scientific evidence supporting the listed weight-loss programs above:
In this 2015 study, researchers identified various commercial weight-loss programs – randomized controlled trials from 12 weeks to 12 months – and compared their effectiveness. The research analyzed 39 studies and found out that WW and Jenny Craig offered the best results compared to their competitors. Nutrisystem also carried some promising evidence even though the team did not verify the results.
Weight loss goes beyond eating right and exercising effectively. It also includes changing your behavior and lifestyle – these two affect your long-term weight loss results. For instance, according to the researchers, people were more likely to lose and gain weight if they avoided behavior therapy as outlined. You can enjoy the yo-yo diet and long-term weight loss effects by adjusting behavioral and lifestyle changes.
One of the 2018 studies published by Healthcare analyzed various trials to determine the best weight loss programs and the findings stated that the best program should be characterized as:
- Safe
- Efficacious
- Healthy and nutritionally adequate
- Culturally acceptable and economically affordable
- Should ensure long-term compliance and maintenance of weight loss
- Should set realistic goals based on individual needs, preferences, and medical conditions
- A weight loss program with all the stated traits qualifies as effective for weight loss.
Benefits of Weight Loss
According to the CDC, weight loss carries immense benefits for your body. It doesn’t matter how big or small the weight loss is, considering that losing between 5% and 10% of your body weight results in:
- Improvements in blood pressure
- Improvements in cholesterol
- Reduction in blood sugars
- Decreased risk factor for chronic diseases linked to obesity
- Increased energy, physical mobility, general mood, and self-confidence
If your current body weight is 200lbs, and you lose 10lbs (5%), you can significantly reduce your risk of obesity. Obesity, on the other hand, is linked to a range of chronic diseases – every pound you lose counts and safeguards you from the ugly risks associated with unhealthy body weight.
FAQs About Weight Loss Programs
Our team of weight-loss experts gets numerous questions regarding the programs available in the market and how they work. Here are some of these FAQs and their answers:
Q: Is eating fat bad for weight loss?
A: Saturated fats are bad for weight loss, but polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are okay. Aim to get healthy fats from olive oil, cold-water fish, tofu, avocado, and certain types of nuts to optimize weight loss and health.
Q: Do I need to plan every meal to lose weight?
A: Some experts recommend planning every meal to optimize weight loss. It may sound over-the-top, but it’s a great way to stay on task, especially if you’re elderly. When you avoid planning, you risk snacking and eating unhealthy meals, ruining your weight loss progress.
Q: Should I keep a food diary for weight loss?
A: Studies show that keeping a diary of what you eat can double weight loss results. Many weight loss programs recommend keeping a food diary for weight loss.
Q: Which carbs should I eat for weight loss?
A: Low-carb diets are popular for weight loss, but your body needs carbs for energy. They’re fuel for your body. Avoid carbs from sugar-sweetened beverages like sodas and junk food, and aim to get carbs from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Q: What is the typical weight loss per week?
A: The typical person can lose 1lb to 2lbs per week while following a diet and exercise program. However, some men can safely lose 3lbs to 5lbs per week.
Q: How much weight can I lose with a weight loss program?
A: Studies show you can lose around 10% of your total weight after following a three-month weight loss program. After that, you can expect to lose 2% to 5% in the fourth month, then around 4lbs per month after that.
Q: How many times a day do I eat for weight loss?
A: Studies show the time of day doesn’t matter much for weight loss; instead, your total caloric intake and nutrient balance are more important. However, many experts recommend taking 4 to 6 smaller meals per day for optimal weight loss.
Q: Will I be hungry with a weight loss program?
A: The best weight loss programs are specifically designed to avoid hunger by suppressing your appetite. Eating the right foods – including protein-rich and fiber-heavy foods – can suppress your urge to eat.
Q: Are weight loss programs safe?
A: All weight loss programs on the list above are safe for healthy adults to follow when using the recommended plan. However, you should talk to your doctor before following a weight loss program if you take medication or have any medical condition.
Q: Can I drink caffeine on a weight loss program?
A: Studies show caffeine is one of the best ingredients to take when trying to lose weight. Caffeine boosts metabolism, accelerating weight loss results.
Q: Can I drink alcohol on a weight loss program?
A: Most weight loss programs do not recommend drinking alcohol while following the program, although some allow small consumption of alcohol as an occasional treat.
Q: Can I eat out at restaurants while following a weight loss program?
A: Today’s top weight loss programs have restaurant-specific recommendations for dining out. You might be able to check the menu on the mobile app, for example, to see what you should eat.
Q: Do I need to exercise while following the weight loss program?
A: Most weight loss programs recommend moderate exercise for optimal weight loss results. However, even a 30-minute daily walk is enough to meet most weight loss program exercise requirements.
Q: What’s the best weight loss program for people with diabetes?
A: Any of the top-ranked weight loss programs on our list are available to diabetics, including Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Beachbody, and Noom.
Q: Do weight loss programs keep weight off?
A: Good weight loss programs help you lose weight and keep it off.
Q: Do genes affect weight loss?
A: Weight loss is determined by many factors, including eating, lifestyle, and exercise. Genetics plays a role in your physiology, and it could impact weight loss. However, genetics is no excuse for not losing weight.
Q: Should I count calories to lose weight?
A: Some weight loss programs recommend counting calories to lose weight, while others suggest a color-based approach (with different dishes being different colors based on their healthiness).
Q: What’s the best weight loss program?
A: Nutrisystem, Weightwatchers, Noom, Hello Fresh, and Factor 75 are some of the best weight loss programs available today.
Q: What’s the best exercise for weight loss?
A: All forms of exercise are beneficial for weight loss. There’s no specific “right” exercise for weight loss, as people have different physiologies.
Q: Does insurance cover weight loss programs?
A: Some weight loss clinics accept insurance, although most weight loss programs listed above do not take insurance.
Q: How much does a weight loss program cost?
A: Weight loss programs cost anywhere from $10 to $500 per month. Weight loss programs vary widely based on the products and services you receive. For example, a weight-loss app subscription might cost $10 per month for unlimited streaming workouts, while a full home-meal delivery subscription costs $500 per month.
The Best Weight Loss Programs in 2024 Final Word
The modern market offers a wide range of weight loss programs, from the done-for-you meal deliveries to weight loss apps. However, the suitability and efficacy of each program depend on your unique physiology and weight loss goals. You can easily find one or several top weight loss programs from the above list to enhance your journey in 2024.